“I guess from our point of view as fellow players, we’re trying to expel his name from the tragedy a little bit, because in my opinion I don’t think he’s any more at fault than any other fast bowler who’s ever bowled a bouncer in his career.

“We’re actually trying to remove his name from everything that’s happened, and just treat him as another one of the players.”

Abbott’s return coincides with Australia facing India in the delayed first Test at Adelaide, with a number of tributes planned.

The Australian players will wear Hughes’ Test cap number 408 on their playing shirts for the match, and black armbands in honour of their former team-mate.

Prior to the start of play on Tuesday, the Australian and Indian teams will stand before a large 408 painted on the oval’s playing surface as they observe a video tribute, narrated by former Australia Test captain and prominent commentator Richie Benaud.

Hughes, 25, died on November 27 from bleeding on the brain, two days after being knocked unconscious by the Abbott bouncer, plunging the cricketing world into mourning- AFP